Unveiling Bias: Strategies to recognize and rectify prejudice for legal equity in the courtroom

Jim Balmer | Falsani, Balmer, Peterson & Balmer

Since 1973, Jim Balmer has represented thousands of people in all kinds of litigation, including injury trials, workers’ compensation trails and hearings, Social Security Disability hearings, and appeals in those areas. He has handled car crashed, slip and falls, work site injuries, defective product claims, dog attacks, liquor liability claims and other bodily injury matters. Jim lectures at various seminars, primarily in the areas of trial tactics.

Jim is admitted to practice before all Minnesota and Wisconsin courts, both state and federal, and has tried cases throughout both states. He has argued cases before the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago and the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, headquartered in St. Louis.

Jim is listed in the prestigious “Best Lawyers in America” as a personal injury specialist representing plaintiffs. “Best Lawyers in America” recognizes less than 5% of all American Lawyers for inclusion. This same listing service has recognized him as Lawyer of the year, Personal Injury – Plaintiffs in the Duluth area for 2017 and 2019.

He is AV Preeminent peer-review rated, the highest rating, through Martindale-Hubbell for this legal ability and ethical standards.

Jim has been selected for inclusion in Minnesota Super Lawyers in both personal injury and workers’ compensation and has been listed as a Leading American Attorney during the same time period. He has had the additional distinction of being designated a “Top 40” Super Lawyers in both areas at various times, as well.

Jim has been a diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, and organization whose membership is by invitation only, since 2002.

Jim was named the 2010 Volunteer Attorney of the Year for the Sixth Judicial District by the Volunteer Attorney Program. The award recognizes the lawyer who has given most generously of his or her time and talents to provide free legal help to lower income residents of northeastern Minnesota.

Sailing, jogging and downhill skiing are Jim’s favorite recreational pursuits. He is active in his local Roman Catholic parish. Jim currently serves as the vice president of the Duluth Bethel Society Board of Directors and also serves the Board of Directors of the Duluth Union Gospel Mission.

I. Bias and Prejudice | 11:00am – 11:20am

II. Age Discrimination | 11:20am – 11:40am

III. Racial Bias and Diversity | 11:40am – 12:00pm

Break | 12:00pm – 12:10pm

IV. Gender Discrimination | 12:10pm – 12:30pm

V. Regional Disparities | 12:30pm – 12:50pm

VI. Effective Strategies for Combating Bias | 12:50pm  – 1:10pm